Valentino Smith ’10, ’13 was announced as Vice President of Marketing for Todos Medical Ltd., a comprehensive medical diagnostics and related solutions company. He brings over 10 years of healthcare marketing experience to the role and has taught marketing classes at LIU since 2016.

Joe Rothenberg ’73, ’77 will join the board of directors for Paragon Space Development Corporation, a leader in supporting mission-critical operations for space, military, and commercial customers around the world. Rothenberg’s decorated career includes 18 years at NASA where he directed the Goddard Space Flight Center and conducted research for earth-orbiting science missions.

Women’s Head Coach Chris Sauer is the first cross country coach in school history to be named the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year. Sauer led the Sharks to a second-place overall finish in the conference championship meet, the program’s best finish since winning the NEC Championship in 1988.

Robert Blount ’07, head football coach at Oceanside High School, was named a New York Jets High School Coach of the Week. Now in his 13th season, Blount is the winningest coach in Oceanside history. He was a four-year starter at quarterback for LIU, finishing his college career as the University’s all-time leader in passing yards, total offense, and touchdown passes.

Richard Katzenstein ’83 was named head of strategic partnerships for Ready Capital Corporation, where he is charged with increasing commercial real estate lending volume through a variety of existing and newly formed strategic partner relationships and strengthening loan sourcing channels.

Intelligent.com ranked LIU as a best university in the nation in nine categories on its “Best Colleges of 2022” list. The respected college ranking source recognized LIU as a best college in New York, with a best homeland security degree program, best master’s degree in taxation, best master’s degree in library science and more.

Joshua Lafazan, Nassau County legislator and LIU adjunct professor, was named to the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list for his achievements in education. He currently teaches innovative courses at LIU on how to run for elected office and how to start local, community-based businesses or nonprofit organizations.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Chelsea De Jesus ’20 as an Empire State Fellow. This full-time leadership training program recognizes rising talent in the public service area and prepares the next generation of professionals for careers as New York State policy-makers. De Jesus will support projects across the Executive Chamber’s Constituency department with a concentration on women’s affairs.

Women’s hockey star goalkeeper Tindra Holm was named the National Rookie of the Month by the Hockey Commissioners Association. Holm ranks in the top 10 nationally in save percentage among Division I goalkeepers. She has led the defending-champion Sharks to a commanding first-place lead in the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance with a 10-0 record against conference opponents.